Sturgeon retention to end in John Day Pool, but continue four extra days in Bonneville Pool

Actions:

1) John Day Pool - The sport fishery for white sturgeon will close to sturgeon retention.

Effective dates:
12:01 a.m., May 21, through December 31, 2012.

Location:
The Columbia River and tributaries from John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam.

2) Bonneville Pool - The sport fishery for white sturgeon will re-open to retention on four additional days.

Effective dates:
12:01 a.m. June 15 through June 16, 2012 (Friday, Saturday) and 12:01 a.m. June 22 through June 23, 2012 (Friday, Saturday).

Location:
The Columbia River and tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam.

Species affected:
White sturgeon.

Reason for action:
(1) The closure date for retention of sturgeon in John Day Pool was adopted because Washington and Oregon fish managers estimate that the harvest guideline of 500 fish will be reached on May 20, 2012. (2) The Bonneville Pool harvest guideline of 2,000 white sturgeon was not reached during the regular season, which closed February 18, 2012. A balance of 1,060 fish remains on the guideline. This action sets additional fishing time to catch the remaining balance.

Other information:
Staff will closely monitor catch in Bonneville Pool once the season continues, and modify the season if necessary to remain within the catch guideline.

The section of the Columbia River and tributaries between The Dalles Dam and John Day Dam remains open to sturgeon retention until the harvest guideline in that area is reached. Approximately 250 fish remain on the guideline for that area. Catch and release of sturgeon is allowed, except for within the spawning sanctuaries in John Day Pool from the Highway 395/I-82 bridge upstream 1.5 miles to McNary Dam and in The Dalles Pool from the Rufus grain elevator upstream 2.4 miles to John Day Dam, which are both closed to all sturgeon fishing May 1 through July 31.